posted
Hi there 'Kid, any more of Ron's adventures coming soon?
I think the tomorrow you mentioned was yesterday and the antici...pation is killing me!
Hope all is fine in New Kid Land and you'll continue your marvellous tale soon.
-------------------- "Tempus Fugitive" the final part of the Adventures of Dream Boy series, set in the Three-Boot Universe. Read it only in the Bits o' Legionnaire Business Forum.
From: here, more often than not | Registered: Sep 2003
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posted
A holo-tank appeared above Kid Quantum’s head as Chief Zendak joined her at the podium. Ron nodded at the Sergeant then turned his attention to the presentation. A View of the Neptune Colonies appeared in the holo-tank. A glance at the orbiting structures told Ron that this was historical footage, two of the pictured bubble stations no longer existed and a third had been extensively modified since the holos were shot. Above and beyond the stations floated a small fleet of starships.
“This recording was found in the archives a few hours after the Hyper-Space disturbances were detected.” Chief Zendak Began. “The fleet of ships you see were designed to explore the core area of our galaxy.”
“I assume that the engine resonances on record for that fleet match those disturbances in hyper-space” Brainiac 5’s interrupted, “and that is the reason why I was physically dragged out of my lab to attend this meeting.”
“You were dragged here because you were being your usual less than cooperative self.” Jazmin’s voice cut off any reply Chief Zendak might have made. “And, before you say anything else, it was done at my direction, so if you have any further complaints to make, see me after this is over. So now that, that is cleared up – kindly shut up – so that the Chief can finish.”
“That fleet departed Neptune sometime in the year 2803. Its mission was to explore and map the interior of the galaxy, in particular the areas beyond the Central Cluster Wall. The six ships in that fleet have long been presumed lost.”
“Unfortunately after that fleet departed it was discovered that the type of Hyper-Space drive units that they used had some significant design flaws. And that the lower levels of hyper-space that those engines were designed to travel in were particularly unstable. In effect traveling in those levels of hyper-space could result in linear displacements in both time and universe.”
“What?”
It took several minutes for the uproar in the briefing room to die down.
Hyper-Space
“Tamara, Greene reports that the full lurker screen has been deployed. No Council ships are within detector limits. Commander Nelson again requests permission to contact the Neptune Colonies.”
[ September 29, 2003, 06:02 AM: Message edited by: Almost New Kid ]
-------------------- Just an Old, Broke-Down, Drunk, Bum!!
With a Power Ring...
From: Westerly Rhode Island | Registered: Aug 2003
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-------------------- "Tempus Fugitive" the final part of the Adventures of Dream Boy series, set in the Three-Boot Universe. Read it only in the Bits o' Legionnaire Business Forum.
From: here, more often than not | Registered: Sep 2003
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quote:Originally posted by New Kid: Just for you 'binger, I posted this a little earlier than I wanted to. As usual I reserve the right to revise and edit later.
you are my Legion World Number One Hero
-------------------- "Tempus Fugitive" the final part of the Adventures of Dream Boy series, set in the Three-Boot Universe. Read it only in the Bits o' Legionnaire Business Forum.
From: here, more often than not | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged |
“Chief, is there any record of contact with that fleet after it launched?”
“Yes, the records show that it returned from it’s mission 55 years ago.”
“I would like to scan those records Chief.”
As Brainiac 5 started to link his Omnicom into the SciPolNet, a signal flashed on Ron-Karr’s Heads up display. Without thinking he made eye contact with the display icon. The holo-tank in the front of the room changed scenes. “Chief, Kid Q, this is live from Neptune Outpost 4, thirty seconds lag time.” He heard his voice resonate, but it sounded to him as if the words were being said by someone else. His training had taken over and his responses were coming out automatically but onside where only he could hear, the voices of his grandparents were ringing in his ears.
“It’s not right Dean, It’s not our home. I want to go HOME!!!” His grandmother had never come to terms with what happened. She died with that phrase on her lips.
“I know Tamara, but it’s our children’s home and our grandchildren’s…” his grandfather replied, the last words she ever heard.
He didn’t understand until years later what she meant, until the day his powers first manifested, the day he officially became a freak. Not a Meta-human, like the Legionnaires, and so many Science Police officers. No his abilities were just a curiosity, he was someone with a mildly interesting quirk, the ability to become two dimensional, someone fun to look at or laugh at, but not…
And now it was happening again. He fought the urge to rip the cyber-helmet off of his head and run. Instead he let his mind go blank and his training take complete control.
A Worm-Hole was forming a few light-seconds beyond Neptune’s orbit. He watched as it started, a small dot of swirling colors in the tank, growing steadily larger and brighter, until it filled the entire tank with bright swirling colors. Then a dot of pure black appeared in the center of that swirling morass, again growing steadily larger, until the void threatened to pull him in. He knew that the worm-hole was millions of kilometers away but he still gripped the edge of the doorway and teetered afraid of falling into that gaping maw. Finally the ships appeared, six dots of blindingly white light, flashing out of the blackness and into reality.
-------------------- Just an Old, Broke-Down, Drunk, Bum!!
With a Power Ring...
From: Westerly Rhode Island | Registered: Aug 2003
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The cyber helmet with display icons that activates when Ron makes eye contact with them is a great idea - wish I'd thought of it myself actually, oh well...
Rons doubts over his abilities usefulness is well done too.
Only one other thing springs to mind "More!more!more!"
-------------------- "Tempus Fugitive" the final part of the Adventures of Dream Boy series, set in the Three-Boot Universe. Read it only in the Bits o' Legionnaire Business Forum.
From: here, more often than not | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged |
“The message is only partially understandable. Either certain sections were badly garbled at the transmission end, or there has been a major paradigm shift in the language while we were gone. The only points we are absolutely certain about are that we are in the correct quarantine orbit and that a delegation is on its way to meet us.”
Lieutenant Commander Dean Karr glanced at the shrouded features of Captain Tamara Frake before continuing his report. It felt odd being back in his United Earth Space Forces Uniform after so many years, and her refusal to don hers made him even more uncomfortable. He glanced around the wardroom noting that most of the others were either looking openly at her or making a conscious effort to look at anything but her. Commander Nelson, in particular was alternating between the hard copy reports spread out on the table before him and the motionless form of the Podarian which now stood in the back corner of the room.
“Some questions…”
Dean’s next words were cut off, as Commander Nelson spoke questioningly.
“Dean, did you bring it in here or did it finally revive?”
The way Nelson stared at the Podarian left no doubt about what the ‘it’ he referred to was. Dean started to reply but was again cut off.
“Not dormant, merely waiting.” The high ringing tones of the Podarian’s words brought everyone’s attention to it. “Need data – feasibility of staying here – can resist Council Forces?” The lights in its eyes were flashing, and for the first time since they left Council Controlled Space, it moved on its own. A small gesture, indicating the Neptune Colonies which were clearly visible through the wardroom’s view ports.
“Or better to leave before sentient lives are extinguished?”
“Better to leave, I think”
Tamara’s voice was quiet and low, but as always her words silenced the murmurs starting in the room.
“But can we? Do we have enough fuel, food, and other supplies? Where else can we go?’ She slumped in her chair.
“It’s not our home. These people are not the descendants of those we left behind. And we are risking bringing a terrible war to their doorstep.”
She rose suddenly, a fire in her eyes they had long prayed to see.
“We can’t do this. Make Preps for departure.” Stunned by her sudden change of demeanor, none of the officers in the room seemed willing to move or speak.
“Move it people, I won’t have more lives on my conscience”
Movement erupted, as her officers suddenly jumped to obey her commands.
“– there’s no room left.”
Her last words were so low that Dean was positive that no one else heard them.
“Captain, What if they can help us? What if they are strong enough?” Dean asked her in a low voice, as the others moved for their stations.
“We can’t risk it. The council…”
Aboard the Flagship “Bruce Wayne”
“Admiral, Indications of Engine Activity on the Target Fleet.”
“All Units – Maneuver Delta – Englobe but hold fire.”
-------------------- Just an Old, Broke-Down, Drunk, Bum!!
With a Power Ring...
From: Westerly Rhode Island | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
Now I'm clueless to the Whys and Wherefores but am totally hooked on your characters. Another great installment ANK, thanks!
From: home sweet home... unless i'm posting from work | Registered: Jul 2003
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The 'whys' and 'wherefores' are coming soon, there's only been hints so far. Keep reading.
Oh, do me a favor (if you would) and tell Bel... umm... I mean Harbinger that she just might show up in the next installment... That'll teach the little tease...
-------------------- Just an Old, Broke-Down, Drunk, Bum!!
With a Power Ring...
From: Westerly Rhode Island | Registered: Aug 2003
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“Belinda, Umm… I mean… Lt. H’Bin’gr, I don’t understand why I was brought along on this mission.”
Seated at his communications console, Ron-Karr nervously made some last minute adjustments before settling his cyber-helmet into place. As the main com-spec assigned to the mission he would be wearing the helmet the entire time they were deployed, best to have everything set up properly before launch. After launch – no matter how irritating an improperly set up helmet became – he could not remove it. There was no provision for an alternate communications link and even a few seconds out of the net could be disastrous.
“I mean, we’ve got Saturn Girl and Gear aboard. Both of them have alternate communications methods. Why do you need an Alpha Communications Specialist on top of that? And why me? I’m just a rookie, and the lowest rated ACS in the battalion.”
Mission Commander H’Bin’gr slid her lean frame into the command chair and began her own preparations for launch, fastening the restraints around her legs and torso. Sprocking things aren’t designed for female commanders, she thought as she loosened the particularly uncomfortable torso harness slightly. She squirmed and made small adjustments until she was satisfied that she was properly restrained, Old G’Nortt was an in system fighter capable of incredible acceleration and maneuverability. But the command deck wasn’t inertia dampened. If they got into a fight she and her ACS would feel every Delta-Vee change; unlike the passengers in the aft compartment. The ship could go through the wildest set of combat gyrations her nasty little combat computer of a mind could dream up and they wouldn't feel a thing.
“Hummph,” She might pay for loosening the torso straps later, but she wasn’t about to ride all the way to Neptune being pinched there. Finally she set her command helmet in place, and keyed the private channel to her crew.
“All stations report when ready for launch.”
On her heads up display each of the seven crew icons flashed green, without a word being said she knew her ship’s status. They were probably waiting on me, she smiled to herself.
“Chief Zendak reports that the VIP’s are on board and settled into the lounge.” Ron-Karr’s voice interrupted her checklist. “Five legionnaires and two U.P. Diplomats, along with the Chief, the passenger manifest has been filed.”
“Tell the Chief that our revised ETA is five hours, thirteen minutes from Now.”
As she spoke she glanced at the command interface icon and she and the ship became one. Instantly her field of vision expanded to 360 degrees external to the ship as the ship’s external sensors replaced her normal human senses. It was an incredibly exhilarating feeling almost as if she were ‘one with the universe.’ Now, she could feel the fabric of space/time surrounding the ship. Instinctively she grabbed on to a fold and launched herself into the void.
The acceleration pressed both of them deeply into their consoles. Ron-Karr was caught in mid breath when it hit, and for a few seconds he wondered if he would ever breathe again, if the sudden weight would ever lift off of his chest. He had trained extensively in simulators but the pilots in those simulations had never hurled themselves into a launch like this.
Then as just quickly as they had accelerated the ship settled to cruising speed. The world lurched around him as the weight on his body eased and he began to breathe again.
Zendak’s voice jumped into his ear. “Tell Lt. H’Bin’gr she’s loosing her touch, I didn’t feel anything at launch.”
Her musical laughter filled the command deck; telling Ron that she was monitoring all channels as she flew.
He cleared his throat and shook his head to settle himself after that wild launch. “Umm… Lt. isn’t normal transit time to Neptune fifteen hours?”
“That’s why I’m flying this buggy, Rook, Normal for me is three times faster than it is for anyone else. We need to be out there yesterday, so I’m the girl for this job.”
“Oh… By the way you’re here because every rookie has to break his cherry sometime.”
Her laughter was infectious and despite his initial embarrassment it drew him into the joke.
-------------------- Just an Old, Broke-Down, Drunk, Bum!!
With a Power Ring...
From: Westerly Rhode Island | Registered: Aug 2003
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posted
Very impressed with your skill ANK, and chuffed to bits (like the proverbial man who fell under a train) by my inclusion!!Wow! Thanks, you're right about the lean frame (ha) but I do quite enjoy being pinched there.
Very good, keep it coming for us please!
-------------------- "Tempus Fugitive" the final part of the Adventures of Dream Boy series, set in the Three-Boot Universe. Read it only in the Bits o' Legionnaire Business Forum.
From: here, more often than not | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged |
quote:Originally posted by Harbinger: Very impressed with your skill ANK, and chuffed to bits (like the proverbial man who fell under a train) by my inclusion!!Wow! Thanks, you're right about the lean frame (ha) but I do quite enjoy being pinched there.
Very good, keep it coming for us please!
Thanks 'Binger, even though I had to go buy a Scots/American English Dictionary (and they are hard to find let me tell ya) to find out if "Chuffed to Bits" was a good thing or not. And I really don't believe you would enjoy it all the way to Neptune. Although I have been wrong before...
Unfortunately, Ron-Karr and Lt. H'Bin'gr have some tuff times ahead. Keep reading.
And!!! Don't you keep the rest of us waiting for more, either.
[ September 26, 2003, 12:58 PM: Message edited by: Almost New Kid ]
-------------------- Just an Old, Broke-Down, Drunk, Bum!!
With a Power Ring...
From: Westerly Rhode Island | Registered: Aug 2003
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Hyperpath: Email this page to someone!
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